Spherical UFO sighted over Las Vegas in 1954

Summary

In January 1954, an observer in Las Vegas, Nevada, spotted a white spherical object approximately 12 feet in diameter. The object appeared stationary in the sky at an elevation of 80 degrees and an azimuth of 340 degrees. The witness, a former Air Force pilot, observed it for 13 minutes without detecting sound or a trail. While calling Nellis AFB, the object disappeared.

The investigation concluded that the object was a weather balloon launched from Nellis AFB. These balloons, used to collect atmospheric data, can ascend quickly and remain visible for a while. Although the witness did not take photos, his detailed description and aeronautical experience lent credibility to the sighting. The confirmation of the balloon's launch resolved the mystery, though it did not diminish the intrigue of the event.